The popular chicken chain restaurant, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, is slated to build a new location in Hartwell.
At the March 1 city council meeting, the council approved the rezoning of two parcels at 72 E. Franklin St. from R-1 and B-1 to B-2. The developers, Capital Growth Buchalter, Inc., will also be breaking ground on the new Starbucks, which is located across College Avenue from the proposed Popeye’s location.
The proposed building will be all brick, pending approval from the Historic Preservation Commission. The lot will have 29 parking spaces and two driveways on College Avenue.
According to the developers, Starbucks wanted to be in Hartwell and, since the developers knew the adjacent lot was available, they pitched to Popeye’s.
“It’s exciting to hear that we are high on the list, or at least attractive to a lot of folks,” mayor Brandon Johnson said.
A woman who was at the meeting expressed her concern over the increase in traffic two drive-thru restaurants would bring to the area, citing the traffic caused by Guthrie’s, which opened recently in the old Papa John’s location on Franklin Street. The developers said the Starbucks will only have an entrance on Franklin Street and the exit will be on College Avenue. Popeye’s will have both the entrance and exit on College Avenue. City manager Jon Herschell said that Franklin Street is not under the city’s jurisdiction.
“That’s a Department of Transportation street,” Herschell said. “They are the ones who manage that and how curb cuts are set.”
The council also approved the rezoning of 296 N. Forest Ave. from R-1 to R-2. The purchasers of the property plan to build three duplexes on the land and hope to have the homes constructed by the end of 2021.
In other business:
• The mayor signed the updated zoning map after it was approved last month by the council and confirmed by the county.
• The council discussed the problem of large vehicles parking on the curbs in the boxed parking spots downtown. Johnson said it is a ticketable offense. Councilmember Tray Hicks suggested to remove the concrete between the road and sidewalk to allow more room for parking.
• The council approved the addition of a special parking spot for veterans in the MLK parking lot.
• The council approved allowing the Hart County Chamber of Commerce to host the Pre-4th fireworks show at Hartwell Lakeside.
• The council appointed Tina Howard to the Planning and Zoning Board.
• The council approved the 2021 City of Hartwell Comprehensive Plan.
• The council approved the replacement of a gas regulator station on Bowman Highway.
• The council tabled the ordinance concerning an open container district in downtown Hartwell.
• The council approved the concept of a management agreement for Hartwell Campground LLC. to operate an additional 63 acres of Hartwell Lakeside in exchange for the continued maintenance of the land.
